Upcoming Events

Close Up hosts and takes part in a variety of civic engagement events, both in person and online, to help students and teachers discuss policy issues and connect with members of our nationwide community. These discussions, deliberations, and presentations allow participants to hear different perspectives from experts and each other, and consider new approaches to engaging with current issues.  

National Deliberations for the 2024-25 School Year

Close Up and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL) will host online issue deliberations for students nationwide.  The deliberations will take place virtually using Stanford’s online deliberation platform. Each event will be two hours total and include a synchronous deliberation followed by an expert panel.

We will be hosting a national deliberation for students during Civic Learning Week (March 10-14, 2025).  More information coming soon!

• Sign up to receive more updates on our High School Deliberation
• Sign up to receive more updates on our University Deliberation

Requirements for participation: Every student will need to read briefing materials ahead of the event, log on from their own device with headphones, and complete pre- and post- deliberation surveys. Dates and times subject to change. Deliberation topics will be announced in the fall.

2025 NNSP Annual Conference

February 5-7, 2025 | Washington, DC | Open to NNSP members and non-members

$650/members | $750/non-members 

Join us in February for the NNSP Annual Conference on Community & Civic Engagement as we bring together educators from across the country to collaborate around the development of community and civic engagement programs in schools. The conference will provide educators with tangible examples of how schools can integrate opportunities for students to learn about issues in their communities, connect their learning to those issues, and create a student body with empathy, knowledge, and leadership skills to make meaningful change.

Submit a Proposal >

Democracy in the Digital Age Summer Institute

June 22–27, 2025 | Stanford University | Palo Alto, CA

How does technology impact our society and politics? What policies do we need to ensure that technology plays a productive role in our future? During this weeklong institute, hosted in partnership by Close Up and the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University (DDL), students will explore how rapid changes in technology impact our democracy and elections, the global environment, education and learning, and labor and the workforce. You’ll hear from tech innovators, policymakers, academics, and advocates to evaluate a variety of policy options at the intersection of technology and society, and produce a youth report with recommendations on how to make social media more democratic. All attendees will be eligible for a Certification in Civil Discourse through Close Up and DDL.

LEARN MORE >         INFO SESSION >